Stack the Odds in your favour.

BIGREDD

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I liked the discussion about bullet placement and 280ACKLEY got me really thinking in his last post on that thread.
He basically said that even though lost or wounded game is a fact or the truth when hunting 99% of these could be avoided, and I have to agree!:eek:
I think that we all could benefit from each others experience on how to avoid wounded or lost game! Bullet placement is done like dinner and we all know the reality of that... so what else can we do to try and eliminate any lost or wounded animals?
I suppose the one recurring theme that came out of the bullet placement thread was to keep shooting until your game is down. When I am deer hunting and a shot presents itself I try to prepare for what is going to happen after the first shot. Where is it gonna run if it runs... where the closest cover is... be prepared to work the bolt and lead the game if it is necessary, that kind of thing.
I am interested in any advice that can stack the odds in favor of a successful kill.:cool:
 
Interesting comment, Redd. Just recently I have been practissing reloading from the shoulder after the first shot at the range (co-incidentally it is with a 280 Ackley that I am fire-forming brass for right now) I have guided Norweigians for bears in the past and it always impressed me how quickly they could reload from the shoulder. It was second nature to them to work the bolt immediatly after the first shot, without lowerring the firearm.
 
Good point Abe!
I read that in some European countries they must be able to accurately shoot a running Moose target to even get a Moose license.:eek: I wonder if this ability is something they learn because it is ingrained into their hunting ethics and methods?
I too could use more practice shooting from the shoulder I have a bad habit of releasing my butt stock from my shoulder and letting the gun fall to chest height before working the bolt.:(
 
make your first shot count and never be afraid to "pass" on a shot you're not 100% sure of. if, in my mind, I am not 100% confident I;'m going to floor the animal with the first shot, I don;t take it.

learn to cycle your action quickly after every shot, weather it;s needed or not. last falls moose was taken on video. by the time the report of the fist shot had finished there was a second round in the chamber and I was looking through the scope at the empty spot where the moose was (bang/flop). maybe a second to be ready again. interesting to see/hear it on video. it wasn't needed, but is a nice skill to develop.
 
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Thanks Phib... that is probably the most important skill to develop... knowing when not to shoot.:cool:
It is hard to teach and even harder to do for a new or young hunter.
I know there are many hunters and camps that preach "the more lead in the air the better" I hear this far too often and it is just wrong headed logic.:(

This may sound hypocritical coming from a semi-auto sluggun shooter.... but we really do try and pick our shots... go easy on me Phib.;)

Being disadvantaged by having to use a limited range weapon like a shotgun, muzzle loader or bow goes a long way to instill the discipline needed to pick your shots and the patience to wait for it.:)
 
A suitable bullet for the game your hunting and the cartridge your using always helps insure a clean kill. This reminds me of last year moose hunting I walked by a guy's bunk and see a box of ammo laying there. Curious to see what he's using I pick up the box and they are 150 grain ballistic tips for 30-06 definatly not suited for a 1200 lb animal with heavy bones and muscle.
 
Tell that to the guys who use 130gr interbonds in their 270s. They don't seem to have a problem. Especially when not trying to punch through shoulder bones and taking out the heart and lungs
 
I remember one example, of the top.
I was shooting at am eight point buck, running towards me. distance less than 50 yads, and closing fast. Easy shot, i was confident of a one shot kill. I was shocked, when the only reaction to the Barnes X was that he tuned up the warp drive, and kept comming. He should have fallen on the spot. What gives?
I fired another, and he skidded to a halt, permanent like.
The first Barnes, had deflected by the small poplar whips. On examination, I found a peculiar mark, down his side, like a 30 cal razor had peeled of the hair, but not penetrated the hide at all.
There was one entry, and one exit, heart/lung, of course.

How could I have avoided that?
I suppose an eary visit to the stand, and clearing some of those whips might have avoided it. But then, the disturbace, if done to late, might have ensured he never came my way too.
 
Yeah J/C cutting shooting lanes is smart especially when shooting archery.
Couple guys mentioned bullets.... this is a pet peeve of mine too! Every year I hear the same sorry tune at the gun counter.... "35 bucks for Federals, no way give me a box of them Remington core-locked for 19.99" so the guy saves 15 dollars. What is that about? The bullets are the least expensive part of your deer hunt why would you not shoot a good quality bullet.
 
The day my heart doesn't start to race when I see an animal is the day I quite hunting, it always gets blood going. Having said that learning to control this excitement is key in avoiding taking marginal shots or shots out of ones comfort zone because it is the animal which ultimately deals with the repercussions.
 
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